WEB DESK
The shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas during a church service on Sunday left 26 people dead and 20 others injured, says local police.
A lone gunman opened fire inside a Baptist church in the US state of Texas killing more than two dozen people, including the 14-year-old daughter of the church pastor. The shooter was found dead in his vehicle.
The shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas during a church service on Sunday left 26 people dead and 20 others injured, according to police.
Speaking at a press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the attack on the church around 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio, was the “largest mass shooting in the state’s history.”
The man officials identified as the killer had been discharged from the Air Force in 2014 for allegedly assaulting his wife and child, according to an Air Force spokeswoman. Abbott described the attacker as “a very deranged individual.”
Police have been studying social media for posts made by the suspect in the days before the attack, including one which appeared to show an AR-15 style semi-automatic weapon.
The lone gunman began firing shots outside the church while the morning service was in progress, armed with what police said appeared to be an assault rifle. Dressed entirely in black, tactical-type gear and wearing a ballistic vest, he then walked inside and opened fire on the worshippers, who authorities said were aged from 5 to 72 years old.
Freeman Martin, regional director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, told a press conference it was unknown whether the shooter killed himself or was shot dead by a local resident who had engaged him in the church and then pursued him by car. Martin said police did not shoot the gunman.
The dead include the 14-year-old daughter of Pastor Frank Pomeroy, the church leader told ABC News. He said he and his wife Sherri were out of town and not at the church service.